Through the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration-Health Facilities and Services Account, which will go to Methodist University.  The diminishing rate of physicians in primary care, especially family medicine, and the ever increasing population in North Carolina, has prompted an urgent call for Physician Assistant (PA) professionals.  However, Methodist University must expand its existing facilities to accommodate any increase in enrollment.  Due to space limitations, the cadaver laboratory at the Veterans Medical Center will no longer be available to the Methodist University PA program.  Thus, Methodist University is implementing a capital campaign to build the Human Anatomy Laboratory, which provides the basis for understanding physiology, disease processes, diagnostic radiology, surgical and traumatic conditions, and interventional therapy through the use of clinical lectures and the dissection of human cadavers.  Methodist University anticipates measurable improvements in healthcare, education and rural economies as a direct and indirect result of further growth in the PA program.  Expected improvements include: a decrease in mortality rates among rural and underserved populations in southeastern North Carolina; a regional population more educated in hygiene, disease prevention and nutrition; an increase in the primary care clinicians in rural North Carolina communities; and stronger local communities that can contribute to an improved state economy.  Funding for this project will help local, state, and federal governments to better be able to provide healthcare services to citizens.